Step-ladder.



Patented Mar. 20, I900. J. G. MILHIME.

STEP LADDER.

(Application 'filed Apr. 1, 1

(No Model.)

NITED STATES PATEN FFICE.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forining part of Letters Patent No. 645,867, dated March20, 1960.

Application filed April 21, 1899.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN GOTTLIEB MIL- HIME, of Chicago, in the countyof Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a completespecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce improvements in step-ladders ofthe type shown in my application, Serial No. 631,865, filed April 12,1897, whereby the stability of the means of adjustment may be augmented,and, more especially, compensation for any wear may be made.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a longitudinal verticalsection of my ladder, showing it adjusted in use upon a floor and astair-step. Fig. II is a front elevation of the same. Fig. IIIillustrates in section the upper part of the ladder folded. Fig. IV is asection on the line 1V IV of Fig. II looking upwardly. Fig. V is abottom plan View of a portion of the step to which the spreaderarm issecured and showing the collar by which said arm is adj ustably securedto the step.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 and 2 indicate the two sidepieces, and 3 the intermediate steps, of a step-ladder, which may be ofany ordinary or suitable construction.

Adjacent to the end of each of the side pieces 1 and 2 I provide a pairof engaging members 4 and 5,which preferably consist of a pair of pinsextending between and secured to each member of a pair of plates 6,secured to opposite sides of the respective frame-pieces, (see Fig. IV,)as by bolts or rivets 7. Each pair of plates projects rearwardly fromthe side piece to which it is secured.

The pins 4 and 5 are of any suitable'shape and size, and one is providedwith a broad bearing-piece 8, which moves freely upon the pin 4 and ispreferably provided with a roughened or serrated edge in contact withthe leg 9, which works between the pin 5 and the bearing-piece 8,secured to the pin 4:. There are two legs 9, that are parallel to eachother, being constituted into a rectangular supporting-frame by unionwith a cross-head 10 and lower cross-piece 11. The opposite extremi-Serial No. 713,93 0. (No model.)

ties of the cross-head 10 and cross-piece 11 are respectively,preferably, united to flaringly-disposed legs 12. By this arrangementthe parallel legs 9, being adapted to be adj usted between the engagingmembers above specified, are supplemented by the presence of the legs12, which afford a steadier lateral support to the ladder than thatwhich would be afforded in a rectangular frame'comprising only parallellegs. The cross-head 10 and top step 13 have opposite beveled faces 14and 15, respectively, by which both of said members may be brought tothe same plane and made to constitute, in effect, the top step orplatform-head of an ordinary step-ladder.

When the legs 9 and the side pieces 1 and 2 are brought into parallelrelation, as they are when the ladder is folded, as shown in Fig.

111, the legs 9 slide freely between the bearing-pieces 8 and pins 5,and the legs 9 may then be adjusted to any desired height. Afterward byspreading the legs 9 from the side pieces 1 and 2, as shown in Fig. I,the bearing-pieces 8 and pins 5 are caused to engage and hold the legs9, respectively, and secure the two parts of the ladder in rigidrelation one to the other. For preserving this adjustment and engagementI provide a sliding frame upon the legs 9, consisting, preferably, ofcollars 18 and cross-braces 19, uniting the collars. Preferably at thejuncture of the cross-braces 19 I provide a lug 20, to which ispivoted,as indicated at 21,a spreaderarm 22, the spreader-arm beingpivoted to one of the steps 3, under which, beyond the pivotal point, itprojects and is adapted to fix the adjustment of the sliding frame; butunder wear or strain the adjustment may become loose, and for thatreason I prefer to provide means for regulating the spread of the legsfrom the ladder, which in the simple form of embodiment which I preferconsists of a collar 23, through which the arm 22 may slide freely. Thecollar is pivoted, as indicated at 24:, to a lug 25 upon a frame 26,secured to and preferably upon the opposite sides of the 'step 3, abovereferred to.

A cam 27, pivoted, as indicated at 28, to the collar and Workingtherein, is adapted to secure the arm 22 to the collar or release ittherefrom, as required.

By the aid of the regulating mechanism above described or any suitableequivalent therefor all wear in the parts may be compensated for and arigid and firm engagement of the engaging members with the legs 9 may beat all times insured.

\Vhat I claim is 1. The combination with the side pieces of a ladderprovided, respectively, with engaging members, of a supporting-framecomprising a pair of flaringly-disposed legs, and a pair of parallellegs working between the engaging members, respectively, the engagingmembers being so located as to receive and hold the legs only when theyare set at an angle to the ladder, and means for fixing the legs at suchan angle to the ladder as to compel the said engagement, substantiallyas set forth.

2. The combination with a ladder proper provided with engaging members,of a supporting-frame comprehending legs Working between said engagingmembers,respectively,

. the engaging members being so located as to receive and hold the legsonly when they are set at an angle to the ladder, a spreader-arm adaptedto regulate said angle of the legs to the ladder, andspreader-regulating mechanism, snbstantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a ladder proper provided with engaging members,and a supporting-frame comprehending legs working between said engagingmembers, the engaging members being so located as to receive and holdthe legs only when they are set at an angle to the ladder, of a slidingframe on the legs, a spreader-arm uniting said frame and the ladderproper, and spreader-regulating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a ladder proper provided with engaging members,of a supporting-frame comprehending legs working between the engagingmembers, respectively, the engaging members being so located as toreceive and hold the legs only when the supporting-frame is set at anangle to the ladder, a sliding frame on the legs, a collar pivotallyunited to the ladder, a spreader-arm uniting the sliding frame andcollar, and means for adj ustably connectingthe collar and spreaderarm,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a ladder proper provided with engaging members,of a supporting-frame comprehending legs working between the engagingmembers, a sliding frame on the legs, a collar pivotally united to theladder, a cam working in the collar, and a spreader-arm ad justablyconnecting the sliding frame and the collar through the aid of the cam,substantially as set forth.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN GOTTLIEB MILHIME.

\Vitnesses:

ANSON E. MEANOR, J. R. TERHUNE.

